Drought Causes California to Step Up Recycled Water Efforts

As
the drought takes hold in California, recycled water is winning both acceptance
and financial support. The state has allocated $200 million in grants to
jump-start recycled water efforts, and slashed interest rates on $800 million
more in loans.

“The
drought has given new impetus to recycling,” said Richard Mills of the State
Department of Water Resources. "These
days, recycled urban wastewater is being looked at more as a new water supply…It’s
expected to be a significant source of landscaping and drinking water for many
Californians in years to come.”

For
now though, the main focus in many communities is on increasing the amount of
recycled water used for landscaping, instead of using potable water on lawns. The Escondido City Council, in San Diego
County, recently approved a $285 million plan to convert the city’s liquid
sewage into irrigation water.

Meanwhile,
El Dorado Hills, a city of 42,000 people and a state leader in water recycling,
saw reclaimed wastewater as a means to build thousands of homes in a dry area.

Developers there have now spent $10 million to upgrade treatment plants and
install pipelines. Every week, the city now converts millions of gallons of
wastewater into clean water, mainly for use in irrigating lawns.

“A
year like this really shows that recycled water needs to be an increasing part of
our supply, because it’s relatively drought-proof,” said John Woodling,
executive director of the Sacramento-area Regional Water Authority.